Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) in its Anambra State Election Security Risk Assessment has disclosed that there is a degree of expectation for peaceful election in the state despite the increase in violent attacks in the state since January 2021.
The report however noted that strategic violence mitigation interventions are needed in the run-up of the gubernatorial election to avert every form of violence at the polls.
According to the KDI ESRA report, KDI noted that “respondents think the activities of the Separatist Group (IPOB) do not have anything to do with the forthcoming governorship election.
“However, political thuggery, undue interference by party agents, inadequate preparation by INEC, the partiality of Security agents, Vote-trading and Fake News remain significant risk factors that could trigger election violence.”
KDI thereafter recommended “proper training and enlightenment for the police officers being deployed to the state. So that they are kept abreast of intricate details about prevalent insecurity cases in Anambra and threats against the election. This is recommended as a strategy to prevent police officers from doing more damage than good concerning the election.”
It also charged political parties and their candidates to demonstrate open commitment to a credible election process by desisting from the inducement of voters with money and materials as there are several detrimental effects of this on the election process and democracy.
“We charge parties to shift focus from voter inducement to issues-based campaigns as voter inducement limits the credibility of elections.”